Page 47 of The Plan

Her brother-in-law kissed her forehead. “It’s ok, Ron, just go to sleep…George will be right here when you wake.”

Ronnie closed her eyes and went to sleep.

George had been there for the first, he was supposed to be there for the last. He’d promised…

As she drifted off, she remembered how he’d changed her world completely…

And remembered why she loved that man so much.

EPILOGUE

They finally wheeledhim in to be with his wife. Veronica was sound asleep in the bed, her hair washed and braided. He’d heard Genesis had done that while Veronica had been in recovery. Genesis had called in favors with the head of this hospital where she and Guthrie both worked, to be allowed in the room with Veronica. Genesis still hadn’t fully recovered from the attack on her, but she had gotten in here somehow. Genesis was well-liked at the hospital; no denying that. And her closest friend had been out there on that highway to help Veronica when she needed it most. Aubrey ran the entire ER and was assistant to the man who ran the entire hospital. Since that man’s sister was married to Veronica’s brother… George suspected there had been favors called in to get Genesis back there.

He appreciated it so much.

His family had been there to take care of her when he couldn’t. He stood. He hurt like hell, but he was alive. And so was she. And so were… his children.

George almost hit his knees again as he thought about what the cost of today could have been. He could have lost what, who, mattered most. He hadn’t felt that terrified since themoment Holland Felner had held Veronica and two of George’s baby sisters at gunpoint. But that day had been resolved with a handful of arrests and some stitches. Today… it could have been so much worse.

Veronica shifted in the bed. Her eyes opened. Then she was looking at him. “Georgie!”

“Hey, sweetheart. Hell of a day, huh?” He would never forget. “I’m sorry, I should have seen?—”

“Not your fault, silly. It was his. The man in the truck. Who was he? Is he okay, too?” Her words were slurred, and her eyes dulled, but she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. George would always think that.

“He took off. Sheriff Addy is hunting him down now.”

“Where are… they?” She was looking around. He knew… who she was looking for. “Are they okay? Where are they?”

“They are sleeping. Right here.” George shifted to the left. And he watched her face—as his wife saw their youngest two children for the first time. “Nurses brought them in when Guthrie wheeled me in here. You’ve only been out of it for a few hours. You scared me.”

“Scared me, too.”

“I wanted to be with you. I am sorry I wasn’t. I tried to get up here, but… well… Chad and that Dr. Alvaro threatened to sit on me if I didn’t get taken care of first. Chad, I could have taken—but that Alvaro is a damned giant.”

“He’s a beautiful man. Just like… you are. Let me see one. Get a nurse in here to help.”

“Genesis and Aubrey are outside the room, updating the family. Genesis walked back up here with me. Aubrey had stayed with the babies.”

“I would have freaked beyond measure if she hadn’t been out there.”

“I know. When I first saw her… just looking at me, telling me I had to move… I felt hope.”

“I don’t think it’s hope your brother feels when he looks at her. I remember that much. He was right there beside me. And so was she. I wasn’t alone, Georgie. And you know darned good and well I would have insisted you be taken care of first, anyway. You are mine. I have to take good care of you.” She gave him that grin he loved so much. “Now, the nurse…”

He made his way gingerly to the door. With his arm in the sling now, he wasn’t going to risk dropping the babies. George hadn’t dropped one of their children even once, with the notable exception of that day with their eldest. But… Marnie was just fine, he hadn’t done any permanent damage. He wasn’t about to start with these two.

Then Genesis was there. His little sister had never gotten any bigger than she had been that day when she’d crawled out the bathroom window to get help for Veronica and Giavonna, but she was still as adorable—and beautiful—as she had always been. They had almost lost her recently, her and Gene and Chantal, and it just made him appreciate the ones he loved even more.

Genesis helped him get their son settled into Veronica’s arms. Then his youngest daughter was resting in George’s good arm. And he was looking at her precious, beautiful face. She was beautiful. Holding his children for the first time were the miracles he would always cherish. This… this was his daughter. And she was beautiful.

And… there was no denying… He laughed. He just looked at her and laughed.

“What? What is so funny?” Veronica asked.

“I suspect I know,” Genesis said, from the door where she was staying back to give him and Veronica this moment with their children together. “Do you want me to… swap… them out?”

“Yes, please. I want to see her.” Veronica kissed their son on his little forehead. “Georgiano Maxwell Hiller, the Fourth. Mama loves you, baby boy. And we have waited for you a very long time. I hope you are prepared for a life with five sisters. I can guarantee it’s going to be amazing.”

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